I've been pretty much away from DK for the past seven or so months, but I did try to at least read as many posts and comments as I could during that time.
But I have noticed that:
- It seems to have become much more generally accepted that the 'moderate' rebels in Syria really aren't.
- The 'ISIS is going to overrun Syria and Iraq' nonsense seems to have passed, along with the 'Only the US can save the region from ISIS' nonsense.
- The 'Iraq will fall apart' nonsense also seems to be waning.
- The belief that Iraqi Kurdistan would declare its independence and would be able to become a viable independent state seems to have been replaced with more understanding that this is just not possible - at least for some time. Note: There are several reasons for this and I have listed them in the past.
- A lot more rational discussion about Iran seems to have developed.
Anyway, so what is happening in the region now and what's likely to happen this year ....
There are several posters and commenters here who try to keep readers informed about the region (though sometimes we disagree with each other on certain points), and I hope to rejoin them soon.